Branched chains support postoperative protein synthesis.
A blinded, prospective trial of the effects of branched-chain amino acid (BcAA)-enriched total parenteral nutrition (TPN) versus standard TPN was undertaken in nonseptic noncirrhotic abdominal surgery patients and patients with multiple traumatic injuries. The study reflected data from the immediate 7-day postoperative period. With isocaloric and isonitrogenous input, the BcAA-TPN patients achieved positive nitrogen balance on day 3. Although the urinary nitrogen output was decreased by day 3 in BcAA-TPN, the plasma BcAA levels did not increase until day 6. With no change in 3-methylhistidine urinary excretion, the early nitrogen retention with BcAA-TPN probably reflects a stimulation of protein synthesis. The ability to favorably modulate the metabolic stress response with alternate fuels has become a clinical reality.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
D000596:Amino Acids; D000597:Amino Acids, Branched-Chain; D001798:Blood Proteins; D009584:Nitrogen